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Join Autism Speaks and CBS Detroit as we walk to change the future for all who struggle with autism!

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is a fun-filled, family friendly event and is the single most powerful force to fund vital research that will lead to the answers we need. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S. more volunteers are needed to join the fight. Whether this is your first walk or the 10th, take the first step and register today. You will not only raise funds, but you will become a part of a fun and supportive family-focused community.

Every 15 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has an autism spectrum disorder. Help us change that! Start fundraising today. Whether you strive to join our new “Grand Club” (walkers that raise $1,000 or more) or sell lemonade to boost your total or create your own unique event, you become a part of the solution! Don’t wait another minute – start a corporate, school or family team today!

Donation forms can be printed from each participant’s individual webpage. The link (make a donation offline) is just under your goals.

Are donations tax deductible?

Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.

Autism Speaks is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Their tax ID number is 20-2329938.

Who should checks be made payable to?

Please ask your supporters to make checks payable to Autism Speaks.

(credit: walknowforautismspeaks.org)

Maximizing Donations

Are fundraising incentives going to be available in 2011?

Participants continue to say they want to ensure that as many dollars as possible raised through Walk Now for Autism Speaks go directly to provide critically needed research and family services. Walkers and donors will know that more of their pledges are having a direct impact on our mission.

For example:

$250 Can provide four (4) Transition Toolkits

$500 Can provide nine (9) 100 Day Kits

$1000 Can provide twenty-five (25) Community School Kits

Matching Gifts

I think my company matches. How do I get this started?

Every company handles its own matching gift program differently. Please contact your company’s Human Resources department for instructions on how to double your fundraising efforts through matching gifts.

(credit: walknowforautismspeaks.org)

Registration

Should I start a team or join as an individual?

If you have a friend or family member joining you, please start a team. If you are attending alone, please join as an individual.

Should I register my kids?

Yes, please register everyone who will be attending (even toddlers in strollers).

I have a family member who wants to join my team but may not be able to attend the walk. Can they still join my team?

Yes, family members can still support you by joining your team and fundraise as a team member even if they are unable to attend.

Can I start a team with 2 people?

Sure. There is not a minimum requirement for team size.

Is there a fee to participate?

No. There are no registration fees.

What is the cut-off to register or join a team?

You can register online up to the day of the event. Please have everyone register as early as possible. Registration is also available on site the day of the event.

Some of my family would like to come, but not walk. Do they need to register?

Please make sure to register each person that will attend (even if they do not walk).

If I am registered, do I need to do anything else to be pre-registered?

No, if you are already registered online, you are all set.

Is it better to register online or register the morning of the walk?

There are many advantages to registering before the walk. Here are just a couple.

Knowing how many people to expect will help organizers plan for a better event for everyone. They order all items based on how many people are pre-registered for the walk.

Each person that registers will receive a webpage within the Walk Now for Autism Speaks website. This will give friends and family a place to go where they can donate directly to you online or get a donation form and mail a donation that will be credited to your page. You can also customize this page with a photo and special message.

The Day of the Walk

Are pets allowed at the walk?

Sorry but, pets are not allowed. Many affected children have a fear of animals and even the sweetest pet could negatively affect another participant. Please be sensitive to this issue and leave your pets at home. Only service dogs are permitted at the walk.

Are strollers and wheelchairs allowed at the walk?

Yes. Strollers, wheelchairs and even wagons for the little ones are all welcome.

Are bikes, rollerblades, scooters or skateboards allowed at the walk?

For everyone’s safety, we can not allow any of these items.

I may not make it to the walk when Check-In/Registration opens. Can I arrive late?

Yes. Check-in will be open until the walk ends. Please go directly to the check-in area when you arrive.

How much do I need to raise to receive a t-shirt on Walk day?

Volunteers will distribute t-shirts to those walk participants who have turned in a minimum of $150 through walk day (both pre-event and day of event donations will be counted).

If I don’t pickup my t-shirt at the event, can I get one mailed to me?

To reduce costs, ensuring that more dollars are directed to the mission of Autism Speaks, t-shirts will be available on walk day only and not mailed to participants who are unable to attend the event. Autism Speaks will do its best to ensure that those participants who are receiving shirts will receive a shirt in the size of their choice. However, when this is not possible, another size may be substituted.

What happens if it rains on the day of the walk?

All walks will be held on the date scheduled “rain or shine”.

What do I need to bring with me on the day of the walk?

If you have any donations, bring them along with a donation form for each. You can save time on walk day by sending in your donations ahead of time. You will also receive a logistics emails a couple of days before the walk with specific activities so make sure you are registered!

How do I find my supporter ID number?

There are a few ways to find supporter ID numbers for yourself or for your registered family members. If the suggestions below do not help, please contact walk@autismspeaks.org.

When you register, you will receive an email to confirm your registration. Your supporter ID number will be listed in this message.

From your webpage – click to open the Offline Donation. The link is listed just under goals. The ID number is listed in the top corner under the participant’s name.

On your personal webpage – your ID number is at the end of the URL.

Volunteering

I want to volunteer with a team. Can I only register myself online and bring everyone else the morning of the walk?

Each volunteer on the team needs to be registered in order to plan for supplies.

Can I get a community service sheet for the hours that I volunteer?

Yes. At the end of your volunteer shift, please go back to the volunteer tent and speak to the Committee or Staff member in charge. There are forms available on letterhead that can be used.

What time should I arrive and where should I go?

All registered volunteers will receive an email about a week before the walk with detailed information (directions, parking, where to go and what time be there, etc.).

Can my teenager volunteer with me?

Sure. When you register, please enter a team name in the optional field to indicate that you are together. You will be scheduled together. You can use your family name as the team name or create your own.

Coming & Going

Driving Directions: Easily accessible off I-75 at Lapeer Road (M-24) in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Exit 81). Also accessible from Exits 79 (University Drive) and 83 (Joslyn Road). Signs showing directions to The Palace are posted from all three exits.

Exit 83 is Hassle Free! Exit on Joslyn Road (Exit 83) and make a right. Make an immediate right onto Harmon Road (signs are posted).

Entrances: Two entrances off Lapeer Road (M-24), north of I-75, one entrance off the I-75 interchange (accessible from Northbound Lapeer Road), and one entrance off Harmon Road (on the North border of the property).

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A single disorder that has received significant amounts of media along with attention within the healthcare neighborhood in recent years is autism. Even though it will be possible for somebody of any kind of …autism